We’ve all heard people talk about the healing properties of nature. You may have experienced a sense of calm yourself while out for a hike or sitting by a lake. But is there a science to it?
Mental health professionals have often researched the impacts of nature on mental health over the years. And while things may not be so simple as curing depression by going for a walk in the woods, there are real benefits.
Mental Health Benefits of Being in Nature
From personal anecdotes to scientific studies, there have been discussions about the restorative benefits of nature for thousands of years. One recent study showed that, in both people with and without depression, being in nature improved:1
- Happiness
- Sleep
- Stress management
- Social interactions
- Fulfillment in life
- Attention
- Creativity
One 2015 Stanford study followed two participants who had to take a 90 minute walk. Researchers measured the heart rates of the participants before and after, as well as taking brain scans of each. One walked through a green, oak-strewn grassland. The other walked along a four-lane roadway. The study found that there was less neural activity in the subgenal prefrontal cortex — responsible for ruminating thoughts and anxieties — amongst the participant who took a walk through nature than the one who walked alongside the highway.2
Countless studies have indicated that exposure to natural sunlight improves mood, focus, and even helps to regulate sleep.3 Lack of sunlight, conversely, is one of the leading causes for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of temporary depression that can occur during the darker, colder months of the year.
There are also statistics stating that city dwellers are 20% more likely to have an anxiety disorder and 40% more likely to have a mood disorder than those who live in rural areas.2 In this case, it’s worth noting this could be partly an issue of access to mental healthcare — those who dwell in cities are more likely to have easy access to a mental health provider.4 Still, with so much evidence pointing to nature’s benefits on mental health, the natural scenery of rural areas may well have a significant impact.
Why Nature Benefits Mental Health
There are three core hypotheses about why nature is such a balm on our mental health: the biophila hypothesis, the stress reduction hypothesis, and the attention restoration hypothesis.
The Biophilia Hypothesis
The biophilia hypothesis suggests that our innate need to connect with nature and our sense of calm when we do so all comes back to our ancient ancestors. The earliest humans lived in the wild and relied on the nature around them for survival. They hunted and foraged and sheltered themselves with nature. They knew to be wary of snakes and spiders, and today, we often carry those same fears.
Named for a word that describes a love for life and the living world, the biophilia hypothesis points to the ways that nature permeates our idioms, our fears and preferences — and of course, the way nature impacts our mental health. Human beings are driven to connect with nature, and when they do, it naturally allows them to feel more whole.
Stress Reduction Hypothesis
Attention Restoration Hypothesis
The attention restoration hypothesis theorizes that more time spent in nature can help to restore the attention span. This hypothesis has sparked a number of studies, some of which have shown evidence in favor of the idea of attention being restored when out in nature. However, there is still much that we’re learning about the connection between nature and attention spans. More empirical evidence is needed to suggest what aspects of attention could stand to be restored by spending more time in nature.6
Combining the Theories
More research is being conducted, but many psychologists believe the answer lies in a combination of all three theories. The stress reduction hypothesis sometimes leans on the biophilia hypothesis: humans feel less stress when in nature in part due to an innate need to connect with nature. Attention levels and stress levels also tend to be highly linked with one another. The truth is often complex, and the answer might vary for some people. Whatever the reason, it’s hard for scientists to deny the results.
Is Time in Nature a Replacement For Mental Health Treatment?
You may have seen images floating around social media, suggesting “this is not an antidepressant” with a picture of a few scattered pills, followed by “this is an antidepressant” against a picture of a forest. There is sometimes an idea that no one is actually mentally ill and that people who believe they are mentally ill simply need to “go outside.” This is a dangerous misconception and one that leads to further stigma against mental health treatment.
Nature can be a great balm if you suffer from poor mental health. Going for a hike or going to the park can be an excellent way to self-soothe and reduce stress. It is not, however, a replacement for therapy or medication if you have an actual mental illness. You should always consult your mental health provider about the best treatment for your mental illness.
Want to speak with a mental health clinician about beginning your journey towards mental wellness? Contact Rivia Mind today to find a provider and get started.
Resources:
- Green spaces aren’t just for nature – they boost our mental health too – New Scientist
- Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature – Stanford News
- Being in natural light improves mood, increases happiness – UCLA Health
- Rural Mental Health Overview – Rural Mental Health Info
- From oppressiveness to stress: A development of Stress Reduction Theory in the context of contemporary high-density city – Luo, Lan; Jiang, Bin; 2022
- Attention Restoration Theory: A systematic review of the attention restoration potential of exposure to natural environments – Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health B Critical Review, 2016
